Neck injuries cause pain, suffering, and emotional distress and may have permanent, life-altering effects. The medical bills that come from a neck injury can be astronomical.
Data from Louisiana State University’s Center for Analytics & Research in Transportation Safety (CARTS) shows how expensive these injuries can be. In Louisiana in 2020, the cost of serious injuries such as spinal cord injuries was $418,649 per person injured, whereas fatalities cost $1,616,921 per person.
The cost of a neck injury from a car accident can be financially devastating. If you were in a car accident and have a neck injury or lost a loved one because of a neck injury, you may be able to receive financial compensation known as damages.
A Kenner neck injury lawyer with Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers may be able to assist you with your case.
Call (504) 777-7777 to learn more about our services during a free consultation.
How a Personal Injury Lawyer Can Help You
A personal injury lawyer can help you throughout the process of pursuing a case after a car accident. Dealing with insurance companies can be challenging, but a lawyer with knowledge of the process of filing a claim or a lawsuit can help. Here are some of the aspects of your case your lawyer can assist with:
For a free legal consultation with a neck injury lawyer serving Kenner, call (337) 777-7777
Determining Negligence and Liability
Your lawyer will begin by collecting evidence from the accident to determine which driver was at fault. Some of the evidence they may collect includes photos of the accident, traffic camera footage, if available, witness statements, and police reports.
In most cases, the at-fault driver will be responsible for any damages the other driver incurs, so determining who is at fault is a critical step in this process.
CC Art. 2323 establishes the state’s contributory negligence policy, which considers that more than one driver can share the fault for any accident. Each driver reduces their damages in proportion to their contribution. For example, a driver who is 30% responsible for an accident can only claim 70% of the damages.
While the police and insurance companies will investigate the accident, you can request that your lawyer conduct their own investigation. If the insurance or police investigations place too much fault on your driving, your lawyer can dispute those findings.
Kenner Neck Injury Lawyer Near Me (337) 777-7777
Estimating Damages
If a car accident causes your neck injury, you may be able to collect financial compensation for your subsequent medical treatment and vehicle repair or replacement.
A Kenner neck injury lawyer can collect evidence to support your case and estimate the value of your claim or lawsuit. Some of the expenses that may be covered include:
- Repairs to or replacement of your vehicle
- Medical bills for emergency room visits, hospitalizations, surgeries, rehabilitative therapies, X-rays, and prescription medications
- Modifications to your home required by any disabilities caused by the neck injury
- Future medical care required by your disabilities
- Lost wages during your recovery
- Future lost wages if you cannot return to work
Your lawyer can also collect evidence to support your case, such as:
- Photographs of your vehicle
- Vehicle repair bills and receipts
- Medical records and bills
- Prescription receipts
- Bills for home modifications
- Past earning statements to estimate your lost wages
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Seeking Damages
You have two options for seeking damages: settling with the at-fault driver’s insurance company or directly suing the other driver.
Insurance companies often try to settle quickly with accident victims by offering a low-paying settlement. Your lawyer can advise you of your options, negotiate a settlement with the insurance company, or file a lawsuit on your behalf, if necessary.
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What to Do After a Car Accident
If you haven’t done so, you should seek medical care immediately after an accident, even if your injuries seem minor at first.
If you were not treated at the scene or immediately after the accident, seek treatment now.
A medical evaluation can properly document your injuries and medical treatment. If you need to pursue damages after your car accident, your medical records can serve as evidence to support your case. Make sure to keep all bills and receipts for your treatment.
Be sure to follow any instructions from your doctor. If you disregard medical advice, the other driver and their insurance provider can claim that you bear the blame for your condition.
Another step you can take after a car accident is to call a personal injury lawyer. Valuable evidence from the scene of the accident may be gone as soon as the accident is cleared.
A Kenner neck injury lawyer with our firm can collect time-sensitive evidence, such as personal statements and photos of the scene, that you may need later. Your lawyer can also manage communication with the insurance companies.
A lawyer with Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers can help if you are recovering from a neck injury after a car accident. Call our office at (504) 777-7777 to speak with a member of our team.
Act Quickly After a Neck Injury
After a neck injury from a car accident, you must act quickly if you want to pursue a claim for damages. CC Art. 3492 limits the time you have to pursue legal action in a personal injury case. You have one year from the accident date to do so. Per CC Art. 2315.2, survivors have one year from the date of their loved one’s passing to sue for wrongful death.
Generally, after one year, you no longer can pursue financial compensation for your injuries or the wrongful death of a loved one. An attorney with our firm can review and discuss any exceptions that may apply to your case.
Reach out to the team at Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers today by calling (504) 777-7777. Our team can tell you more about the legal process involved in pursuing damages from your car accident.
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